Mets, minor leaguers plan meeting to discuss pay, conditions
Leaders from the New York Mets recently held what’s believed to be an unprecedented meeting with the nonprofit group Advocates for Minor Leaguers to discuss pay and working conditions in the minors, and another meeting is planned soon that will include players from the team’s farm system.
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Mets fire 2 high-ranking employees after workplace review
The New York Mets have fired two high-ranking employees and will overhaul their legal and human resources departments on the recommendation of independent investigators hired to review the organization following allegations of sexual misconduct against former manager Mickey Callaway.
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Buttigieg visits closed Interstate 40 bridge in Tennessee
U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg came to Tennessee to learn how the closure of the Interstate 40 bridge connecting that state and Arkansas has affected freight movement since it was shut down more than three weeks ago when a crack was found in the span.
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AP source: Lindor, Mets agree to $341 million, 10-year deal
Lindor was eligible for free agency after this season and said this spring he wouldn't negotiate with the Mets on a long-term contract after opening day. New York added Lindor knowing he could walk after the 2021 season, but the team said it would try to negotiate a long-term pact. Lindor will retain his $22.3 million salary for 2021 before the contract kicks in for 2022. Only Mike Trout's $426.5 million, 12-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels and Mookie Betts' $365 million, 12-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers are worth more. Lindor's deal is also by far the largest payout ever from the Mets, surpassing contracts for third baseman David Wright ($138 million), pitchers Jacob deGrom ($137.5 million) and Johan Santana ($137.5 million).
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Chris Christie joins Mets' board of directors under Cohen
Christie has joined the board of directors of the New York Mets. His son Andrew has worked for the team since 2018 and is the Mets' coordinator of international scouting. Chris Christie has joined the board of directors of the New York Mets. Jeanne Melino also joined the Mets board under new owner Steve Cohen, and New York said Friday she will be hired by the team as senior vice president of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation. The Mets' board also includes chairman emeritus Fred Wilpon and vice chairman Andrew Cohen, who is not related to Steve.
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Opponents suspect environmental racism in pipeline project
Robinson's land is coveted by Valero Energy and Plains All American Pipeline, and their joint venture, the Byhalia Connection. “It’s just not fair.”The Byhalia Connection would link the east-west Diamond Pipeline through the Valero refinery in Memphis to the north-south Capline Pipeline near Byhalia, Mississippi. Opponents suspect environmental racism — the practice of placing toxic factories, landfills and other polluters in minority neighborhoods and indigenous areas, where voiceless residents only realize the danger after people get sick. Byhalia Connection spokeswoman Katie Martin said the comment doesn't reflect the company's views. Byhalia Connection representatives say the pipeline will make refineries along the artery more efficient and poses no threat to the aquifer.
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Alderson details Mets' pursuit of Bauer, pleased by results
This photo from a Zoom press conference shows New York Mets President Sandy Alderson, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020. Alderson returned as team president Friday when Steve Cohen bought the Mets from the Wilpon and Katz families. Two higher-profile incidents both involved women, including a college student who accused the 30-year-old Bauer of harassing her online. We understood what the risks were associated with some of the social media stuff. Alderson said he never spoke directly with Bauer but talked with the pitcher’s agent about the social media presence and the need for Bauer to take responsibility for it.
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Report: Coach, ex-manager Callaway pursued women in media
FILE - This 2020 file photo shows Los Angeles Angels pitching coach Mickey Callaway. Callaway, former manager of the New York Mets and current Los Angeles Angels pitching coach, aggressively pursued several women who work in sports media and sent three of them inappropriate photos, The Athletic reported Monday, Feb. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)NEW YORK – Los Angeles Angels pitching coach Mickey Callaway, former manager of the New York Mets, “aggressively pursued” several women who work in sports media and sent three of them inappropriate photos, The Athletic reported Monday night. Callaway sent uninvited and sometimes unanswered messages to the women via email, text or social media and asked one to send nude photos in return, according to the report. Ad“I was appalled by the actions reported today of former manager Mickey Callaway,” Alderson said in a statement released by the Mets late Monday night.
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Owner of Mets and hedge fund leaves Twitter, citing threats
This photo from a Zoom press conference shows New York Mets owner Steve Cohen, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020. (New York Mets via AP)NEW YORK – The owner of the New York Mets says he has dropped off Twitter because his family received threats that he attributed to “misinformation" that was not tied to the baseball team. Hedge funds that shorted GameStop have lost billions as small investors bid up the company's shares. One of the short sellers, Melvin Capital, announced this week that it received a $750 million infusion from Point72. The Mets tied for last place in the National League East division last season.
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New Jays OF Springer sees echoes of Astros in Toronto's core
Springer and the Blue Jays agreed last week to a team-record $150 million, six-year contract. The Blue Jays swept in two games during a first-round series by the eventual AL champion Rays. Besides Springer, Toronto also has signed right-handers Kirby Yates and Tyler Chatwood in the past week. Shapiro insisted the Blue Jays still have flexibility to add payroll, likely to strengthen the rotation, but said “the bulk of our heavy lifting is done.”Springer split time between center field and right with the Astros, but is expected to become a fixture in center for the Blue Jays. “This is about the Blue Jays,” Springer said.
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Mets fire GM after he sent explicit texts to female reporter
This screen grab from a Zoom call shows New York Mets general manager Jared Porter Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. Mets general manager Jared Porter sent graphic, uninvited text messages and images to a female reporter in 2016 when he was working for the Chicago Cubs in their front office, ESPN reported Monday night, Jan. 18, 2021. (Zoom via AP, File)NEW YORK – Jared Porter went from rising star to unemployed — literally overnight. “We have terminated Jared Porter this morning,” Cohen wrote Tuesday. She said the Cubs employee told her Porter wanted to apologize in person, but she didn't want to see him.
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Mets' new GM excited by Cohen's title expectations
This screen grab from a Zoom call shows new New York Mets general manager Jared Porter Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. “Hearing comments like that motivates me,” Porter said Monday after being introduced as New York’s general manager. IN THE DUGOUTAlderson confirmed the Mets are hiring Dave Jauss as the new bench coach for second-year manager Luis Rojas. It's a return engagement for Jauss, who was New York's bench coach in 2010 under Jerry Manuel. He replaces Hensley Meulens and becomes the Mets' fourth bench coach in four years.
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AP source: Catcher James McCann, Mets near $40M, 4-yr deal
Free agent catcher James McCann and the New York Mets were close to completing a $40 million, four-year contract Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, as the team continues to upgrade its roster under new owner Steve Cohen. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)NEW YORK – Free agent catcher James McCann and the New York Mets were close to completing a $40 million, four-year contract Saturday as the team continues to upgrade its roster under new owner Steve Cohen. McCann was an All-Star with the White Sox in 2019 when he hit .273 with 18 home runs and 60 RBIs. Last week, the Mets signed free agent reliever Trevor May to a $15.5 million, two-year deal. He was regarded as the second-best catcher on the free agent market behind J.T.
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Schwarber, Bradley, Duvall among 59 cut in pandemic fallout
The total cut was one more than the previous high at the tender deadline, ahead of the 2004 season. Schwarber earned $2,596,296 in prorated pay from his $7.01 million salary last season but hit .188 with 11 homers in 59 games, down from 38 homers, 92 RBIs and a .250 batting average in 155 games in 2019. Schwarber returned from a serious knee injury and hit .412 with two RBIs in the 2016 World Series as the Cubs won their first championship since 1908. Fifty-nine players agreed to one-year contracts ahead of the deadline, many of them facing a threat of being cut. Minnesota reached deals with five players, including pitcher José Berríos ($500,000 signing bonus plus $5.6 million salary) and center fielder Byron Buxton ($5,125,000).
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Mets 2B Canó suspended 162 games by MLB after drug test
(AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)NEW YORK – Mets second baseman Robinson Canó was suspended for 162 games by Major League Baseball on Wednesday after he tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug for the second time in his decorated career. The 38-year-old Canó will miss the entire 2021 season and lose $24 million in salary. Minus Canó, New York could move good-hitting Jeff McNeil into a regular spot at second base. The Mets fully support MLB’s efforts toward eliminating performance-enhancing substances from the game.”There was no immediate comment from Canó or the players’ union. He played 49 games this year in a season shortened from the usual 162 to 60 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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Mets GM Van Wagenen, others out as Cohen takes over team
Special assistant to the general manager Omar Minaya, assistant general managers Allard Baird and Adam Guttridge and executive director of player development Jared Banner also departed. He hired former Mets general manager Sandy Alderson as team president in his first move and ended Jeff Wilpon's tenure as chief operating officer. and Van Wagenen fired manager Mickey Callaway and replaced him with Carlos Beltrán. It is a record price for a baseball team, topping the $2 billion sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers from Frank McCourt to Guggenheim Baseball Management in 2012. “I hope that your energy, competitiveness and resources will be welcomed by Major League Baseball,” Van Wagenen said.
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Sale of Mets to Steve Cohen approved; Wilpon era nears end
FILE - In this Dec. 10, 2009 file photo, billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen attends a benefit in New York. Major League Baseball owners voted Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, to approve the sale of the New York Mets to Cohen. The Mets sale is likely to close within 10 days. “I am humbled that MLB’s owners have approved me to be the next owner of the New York Mets,” Cohen said in a statement. Cohen made his announcement as New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city does not object to the sale.
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LEADING OFF: Blue Jays-Yanks, Padres go for 9th straight
San Diego Padres' Jurickson Profar, right, reacts after scoring on a fielder's choice in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, in San Diego. Prized rookie Deivi García (1-1, 3.06 ERA) pitches for the Yankees, who have won five straight following a 5-16 slide. New York expects to get third baseman Gio Urshela and right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga back from the injured list. WILD WESTThe surging San Diego Padres go for their ninth straight victory and try to close within a half-game of the West-leading Dodgers when the NL's top two teams square off again at Petco Park. Lamb homered and doubled in his Athletics debut Monday, a 9-0 victory at Seattle that gave his new team a doubleheader split.
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LEADING OFF: Blue Jays-Yanks, Darvish faces skidding Indians
Prized rookie Deivi García (1-1, 3.06 ERA) pitches for the Yankees, who have won five straight following a 5-16 slide. New York expects to get third baseman Gio Urshela and right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga back from the injured list. Sportico reported Cohen will own 95% of the team, with the rest staying with the Wilpon and Katz families. Former major league star Alex Rodriguez and fiancee Jennifer Lopez also tried to buy the team but dropped out of the bidding last month. Cohen also entered negotiations to buy the Mets last year, but the deal fell apart in February.
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Billionaire hedge fund manager Cohen agrees to buy Mets
FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2020, file photo, Citi Field is viewed at dusk before a baseball game between the New York Mets and the Baltimore Orioles in New York. Billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen has agreed to purchase the Mets from the Wilpon family. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)NEW YORK – Billionaire hedge fund manager Steve Cohen has agreed to buy the New York Mets from the Wilpon and Katz families. Cohen also entered negotiations to buy the Mets last year, but the deal fell apart in February. The limited partnership shares were sold after a proposed $200 million sale of a stake of the Mets to hedge fund manager David Einhorn fell through in 2011.
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A-Rod/J-Lo out of Mets' bidding amid report Cohen set to buy
FILE - In this Dec. 13, 2019, file photo, Jennifer Lopez, left, and Alex Rodriguez sit courtside during an NBA basketball game between the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers in Miami. Rodriguez and Lopez have retained J.P. Morgan to represent them in raising capital for a possible bid for the New York Mets. The move was first reported by Variety and confirmed to The Associated Press by a person familiar with the decision who spoke on condition of anonymity because it was not announced. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)
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A-Rod/J-Lo out of Mets' bidding amid report Cohen set to buy
Rodriguez and Lopez have retained J.P. Morgan to represent them in raising capital for a possible bid for the New York Mets. Rodriguez announced Friday night that despite a fully funded offer at a record price, their group was pulling its offer. CNBC reported Friday night that Cohen had entered final negotiations and was expected to finalize a deal with the team in the coming days. Cohen also entered negotiations to purchase the Mets last year, but the deal fell apart in February. Rodriguez and Lopez emerged as potential buyers after Cohen's first negotiations fell apart.